Columbus Blue Jackets vs. St Louis Blues NHL Free Pick

Monday, March 07, 2011 12:00 AM ET

Two sinking Western Conference teams meet up on Monday
night in what appears to be a tough game for NHL handicappers on what appears
to be a quiet NHL card.

The Blues have just one win in their last eight games
while the Blue Jackets are losers of four straight. At a closer look, though,
the Blue Jackets still have some fight in them and should get the win on
Monday.

The Columbus Blue
Jackets Can Win Because…:

They at least have a shot to make the playoffs, albeit it
a slim one.

The St Louis Blues have completely mailed it in and even sold off
key veteran parts at the trade deadline to emphasize that they are playing for
the future, which is why they find themselves 11 points out of a playoff spot.
Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets are still fighting and are just seven points out
and their 64 games played is the fewest in the Western Conference.

Yes, the Blue Jackets have lost four straight but at a
closer look, some of those losses weren’t as bad as you might think. They lost
to Nashville, who is in a similar playoff chase as them, they also lost to the
Vancouver Canucks, who are the top team in the West, and the Calgary Flames,
who have been one of the hottest teams since Christmas. Also, all of those
losses were only by one goal and all of them came on the road.

Meanwhile, the Blues have been raided as they have been
outscored 15-4 during their four-game losing streak.

The Blue Jackets are still believing while the Blues are
merely counting down the days until they can get out on the golf course.

The St. Louis
Blues Can Win Because…:

They’ll be at home for this contest.

As much heat as the Blues have taken for their recent
nosedive, they are still 18-11-4 at home this season whereas the Columbus Blue Jackets
are 15-13-5 on the road this season.

The Blues have dominated this series at home as they are
22-8-1 in their last 31 home meetings with the Blue Jackets including six of
the last eight.

Combined with the fact that they are playing the Blue
Jackets – a mediocre West team – and the Blues may be able to get back on
track.

The Blue Jackets are just 2-5 after three or more
consecutive road games. This will be their final away game as part of a
five-game road trip that has seen them play five games in nine days.

Outlook & NHL
Betting Prediction:

The Blues are a mess right now. They are having problems
on the ice and they are having problems off of it as well as ownership can’t
seem to find anyone to buy the team. On top of that, when you watch their
lackadaisical effort during Saturday’s loss to the New York Islanders in a game
which they allowed six odd-man rushes and breakaways, as well as five goals on
just 22 shots, you’d have to be very careful betting this team.

After that loss to the Islanders, leading scorer David
Backes had the following to say: “Everything is wrong. It's not very enjoyable
to be here every day."

Just as the franchise can’t find an owner to invest, NHL bettors should heed caution and also avoid investing into this team on the
moneyline.

Columbus isn’t a great play in this spot but there is
little reason to be laying juice with a Blues team that looks like they have
quit.